Beshbox

Foodies who can't get enough of chef John Besh in their lives through his television show, restaurants, cookbooks and media appearances are in luck. Just in time for the holidays, Besh has announced the launch of his Besh Box monthly subscription service. Each month, subscribers receive a box filled with goodies that carry the chef's official stamp of approval, including kitchen tools, ingredients, seeds, spices and other items, all based on an included seasonal recipe.

"People are constantly writing me on social media and asking where they can find my favorite products," Besh says. "Maybe something they saw me using on TV — like what olive oil I'm using. That's what inspired me to create this box. They're items I personally love and use on a regular basis — tools and ingredients that, unless you're a chef who's spent decades learning and practicing a craft, you might not know about or have a use for."

The initial offering, titled "Holidays from the Heart," is based on the chef's recipe for apple and pear tart with pecans. The box includes several recipes: for the tart, basic sweet dough and one for hot, spiced wine to pair with the dessert. On top of that are six items to help the holiday tart-making experience, including a large bag of Inglewood pecans, vanilla beans, a dough scraper, an Italian pastry cutter, a cook's towel and jalapeno seeds.

The tart recipe doesn't call for jalapenos, but a future recipe will, so subscribers are encouraged to grow peppers in advance.

Future boxes to come will be curated similarly, so subscribers eventually will have some necessary ingredients and tools on hand when the latest recipe arrives.

Recipients of the first package get a fleur-de-lis ornament and a playlist of Besh's favorite holiday songs (plans call for future playlists to be available via streaming on Spotify).

Future themes include Mardi Gras and "The Big Game," which appears to be focused on cooking for a Super Bowl party.

Subscriptions are available online at Beshbox.com and start at $55 for a single month, $160 for three months and $320 for a half year. A yearly subscription will set you back $650, but it includes a copy of Besh's Cooking From the Heart. — SCOTT GOLD